As NBA drama goes it was first rate but in the life of DeMarcus Cousins it will sit somewhere around the middle.

Canberra NBA star Patrick Mills hit a three-pointer with 12.9 seconds left to guide the San Antonio Spirs to a 102-100 win against the Houston Rockets.

Melbourne United will put out a Christmas SOS for an injury replacement player with former star Hakim Warrick on their shortlist.

There was no trick or secret to how Australian point guard Patty Mills got wide open for the winning shot in the NBA on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT).

Melbourne United could be left dangerously undersized if import centre Devin Williams is forced out of their Boxing Day game against Brisbane Bullets.

The Brisbane Bullets came back from a 17-point deficit to force overtime, before losing 91-85 to the Illawarra Hawks on Monday night.

The Adelaide 36ers chalked up their seventh straight victory with Sunday's convincing 103-96 defeat of the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.

After nine straight losses, Melbourne Boomers needed inspiration and they found it in the form of 100 gamer Bec Cole.

Canberra Capitals have beaten every team in the WNBL bar one this season, but Paul Goriss is not satisfied.

Staring down the prospect of a fourth consecutive loss, the Brisbane Bullets were led to a 100-90 victory over Melbourne United at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday by Jermaine Beal and veteran Anthony Petrie in his 250th NBL game.

The Brisbane Bullets have overcome their recent poor form to record a 100-90 NBL win over Melbourne United.

An explosive Canberra United forward line is set to get even better with the arrival of Lisa De Vanna.

Sprawled on the practice floor on Wednesday night, Kelsey Griffin looked certain to miss her Bendigo Spirit's clash with Canberra Capitals on Friday night.

The Adelaide 36ers have stunned NBL pacesetters the Sydney Kings with a last- gasp 82-80 triumph.

Here is a wrap-up of NBA games played on Thursday night (Friday AEDT):

Canberra Capitals and Opals legend Lauren Jackson is now firmly behind new employer Melbourne Boomers.

Dandenong Rangers and Melbourne Boomer are both looking forward to the Christmas break but first have tough match-ups on Saturday night.

Daniel Kickert used to lead the way for Melbourne United, now he's looking to score a vital win for his Brisbane Bullets against his old club.

Philadelphia 76ers NBA coach Brett Brown is expected to be called to give evidence in a court case involving Australian basketball great Shane Heal who is facing with three counts of fraud relating to an alleged $750,000 scam.

The Capitals want to protect a proud record this weekend when they hit the road for their final two games in 2016.

Kevin Love scored 29 points and LeBron James added 23 as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their fifth straight NBA match on Tuesday night, a 103-86 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Ben Simmons' NBA debut is a step closer after the Australian youngster trained without a moon boot for the first time since breaking his foot.

At 208 centimetres and 118 kilograms, Detroit Pistons centre Aron Baynes is a pretty intimidating figure. And with his new partially shaved hairstyle and bushy beard, Baynes could likely be cast as a warrior on the TV series Vikings.

Australian freshman Harry Froling has confirmed he's leaving American college basketball side SMU, expressing disappointment over his role under new coach Tim Jankovich.

Melbourne United are breathing a sigh of relief after big man David Andersen avoided a serious knee injury.

Melbourne United have climbed off the bottom of the NBL ladder with a stunning road win over league leaders Sydney.

LA Clippers star Chris Paul posted an individual night for the ages against New Orleans Pelicans.

LeBron James scored 17 of his season-high 44 points in the fourth quarter and reached another career milestone as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their fourth straight NBA match, a 116-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.

The Brisbane Bullets lost their third straight game 98-88 to a fast paced Illawarra Hawks side led by star import Rotnei Clarke who scored 13 points in the first half and 10 in the first quarter.

Joe Ingles loves life in Salt Lake City but his good form with Utah Jazz could see him earn some free agency offers this offseason.

Melbourne United has sent veteran star David Andersen home for scans on his injured knee meaning he will miss Sunday's clash with Sydney Kings in Sydney.

LeBron James scored 27 points to move into ninth place on the NBA scoring list as the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Miami Heat 114-84.

After Patty Mills' third Olympic appearance for the Boomers he has been recognised as ACT Sport's male athlete of the year.

In the NBA, playing 105 games is barely tearing off your snap pants and in Dante Exum's case it's a tiny sample of a career still taking shape.

The Sydney Kings have won the first series of the NBL season, clinching an 86-78 eight-point comeback win over the Taipans in Cairns.

Canberra duo Kim Brennan and Patty Mills take out the top prizes for athletes of the year after golden moments.

Opals point guard Leilani Mitchell and the Sydney Flames take down the Canberra Capitals, 84-73.

Facing a month on the NBA sidelines, Andrew Bogut is taking at least one positive from his latest knee injury – it wasn't as bad as the last one.

• COMMENT

Andrew Bogut is a formidable basketballer, who played a manful role in Australia's gallant tilt at the windmills in Rio. He is also, more than most sportspeople, socially engaged. I could say, quirkily, doubtfully, provocatively engaged, but he would say the same of my world view.